Fiber treatment



Oct. 29, 1940.

J. P TARBOX FIBER TREATMENT Filed June 22/ 1937 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 PATENT OFFICE FIBER TREATMENT John P. Tarbox, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Imperial Rayon Corporation, Gloucester, N. J., a corporation of Delaware I Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,64

2 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the liquid treatment of textile fibers and more particularly to the continuous treatment of an untwisted roving of multiple filament artificial fibers such as rayon staple.

In the manufacture of continuous artificial fibers such as rayon fibers, it is necessary to treat the fiber in various liquids after the extrusion from spinnerets. This treatment should include efiicient washing with the liquid for a predetermined period and it is preferable to have the treatment of a continuous type in order not to slow down the production. With a large number of filaments, however, the treatment is frequently ineffective because of the included treating liquid carried by the roving.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a continuous treating process for staple composed of a plurality of individual filaments in which the fibers are carried through a treating liquid under tension and subjected to repeated changes of tension in the bath such that the treating liquid will be repeatedly squeezed out of the roving, thus repeatedly exposing the filaments to fresh treating liquid and thereby obtaining a more efiicient washing with the liquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for directing a continuous multiple filament untwisted roving through a treating bath and subjecting it to variations in tension while being conducted through the treating liquid.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a plurality of rollers in a treating tank, one of which is fully immersed and the other of which is substantially immersed with a continuous roving passing over the rollers and with a beater roller engaging the roving to periodically change the plane of movement of the roving to vary its absorption of the treating liquid.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment thereof taken a in connection with the attached drawing illustrative thereof and in which,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section of a treating bath having a plurality of rollers forming a path for a fiber; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section of the rollers showing the skew relation thereof.

In the preferred form of embodiment of my invention, a treating bath is adapted to contain a suitable liquid I! for treating a roving indicated at 14. While my apparatus'is adapted for general application, in one form it is particularly adapted for the treatment of continuous rayon fiber staple, especially of the type having hundreds of individual filaments which form an untwisted roving. With such fibers, it is especially 5 important that all are completely treated by efllcient washing with the liquid.

One specific form of apparatus which I find to be most satisfactory includes a plurality of horizontally disposed rolls including the upper roll I6 which is substantially immersed in the liquid bath and a second or lower roll I8 which is fully immersed in the bath. If desired, the two rolls l6 and I8 may have askew relation with each other as generally shown in Fig. 2 in order that the roving will continuously feed in a helical manner.

Intermediate the two rolls l6 and I8, I provide a means for changing the tension on the roving l4 and in this form of embodiment, it may. suitably include a beater roll 20 having a plurality of arcuate peripheral arms 2| which come in contact with the roving l4 and, being of a greater diameter than the rolls l6 and I8, will cause a lateral movement of the roving as shown in the dotted line position Ma. This movement tends to stretch the roving It thus exerting a type of squeezing action between its filaments. When the tension is released, a form of ballooning action takes place which is similar to the action of skeins in dipping and wringing.

It will thus be seen that, although the roving travel is continuous through the treating bath, it is subjected to a repeated periodic stretching and loosening which will assure a most intimate liquid exchange by the filaments of the treating bath, continually driving out the partially spent liquid and drawing in a fresh supply. Furthermore, the roving is given a small lateral movement which also adds to the transfer of liquid between the roving and increases the intimate contact of fresh liquid with the filament.

It is to be understood that no damage is done to the filaments of the roving by this beating inasmuch as they are normally under but small tension. If desired, however, the roll l8 may be mounted on a loose bearing under a suitable pressure as by spring 22 so that a minimum tension can be maintained.

If desired, the beater roll 20 may be driven through an intermediate gear 24 from. the roll I6 so that the peripheral speed of the arcuate arms 2| will be equal to the linear velocity of the roving H to prevent any rubbing action. The drive of the rolls may be of any suitable type. It will also be understood that many other forms of continuous beater for changing the tension of the roving can be used, although I 'flnd this to be a simple and eflective one.

While I have shown a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that other modifications may be made thereto and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit oi the disclosure herein and or the claims appended hereinafter.

. What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for treating roving oi the class described which comprises in combination with atank, a pair of spaced rolls forming a continuous path for said roving through said tank, a beater roll located in between said rolls with its axis extending substantially parallel to and on a line extending between said spaced roll axes and said beater roll having a plurality of armate spaced segments forming a discontinuous periphery, and of an overall diameter greater than said spaced rolls, and means for driving said heater roll directly from an adjacent roll and at a speed such that the peripheral velocity of the outer surface of said segments substantially corresponds to the peripheral speed of said adjacent roll.

2. An apparatus for treating roving of the class described as it passes through a tank which comprises in combination, a pair of spaced rolls iorming a continuous path for said roving through said tank, a beater roll located in between said rolls with its axis extending substantially parallel to and on a line extending between said spaced roll axes and said beater roll having a plurality of arcuate spaced segments forming a discontinuous periphery, and

of an overall diameter greater than said spaced rolls, means for driving said beater'roll directly from an adjacent roll and at a speed such that the peripheral velocity or the outer surface of said segments substantially corresponds to the peripheral speed of said adjacent roll, and means for resiliently urging said spaced rolls apart.

JOHN P. TARBOX. 

